Worf's old friend K'Ehleyr returns, and a Klingon succession crisis begins.
K'Ehleyr returns to the Enterprise with Alexander, the son she had with Worf. She arrives with K'mpec, the dying leader of the Klingon High Council, who has been slowly poisoned and asks Picard to act as Arbiter of Succession. The two contenders are Duras and Gowron.
While Picard runs the ritual, a bomb kills several Klingons. K'Ehleyr investigates and finds evidence about Duras, including the truth about the Khitomer massacre, and Duras kills her. Worf claims his right of vengeance and kills Duras.
Gowron becomes leader of the Council, and Worf is reprimanded by Picard. Alexander is sent to live with Worf's adoptive parents on Earth for now. The episode was directed by Jonathan Frakes.